parenting

Budgeting: How To Save Money at the Grocery Store

momhome managementparentinghome management

Do you have to shop on a budget? Yeah, me too. If you knew me, you would know that I am not good with lists. I would write one and quickly forget where I put the list that was supposed to tell me what I'm supposed to do! But there is one list that makes me feel naked if I don't have it — a grocery list. Grocery shopping is important, especially when you don't have an endless budget. How do you stay within budget and still feed family of hungry people? Having a shopping list is key.

My family loves to eat, that's the "main" concern of the day. I often ask myself what meals and snacks are available because I have to get it right. I have a sister who failed to be domesticated before she got married, so she often calls me, from her city, to walk her through aisle after aisle at Walmart, which I have to say, I know them like the back of my hand.

6 Tips for Saving Money at the Grocery Store

The following are six tips I use to save money at the grocery store:

  1. Pay attention to prices. It's good to always pay attention to prices, every time you go to the store. I never liked to go grocery shopping with my mother and her calculator, because she was always comparing. Though we say we don't want to be like our mothers, I sadly am.
  2. Make a shopping list before you go to the store. Look in your cupboards/cabinets before you leave. This is a part of the "family business." Make a list off the items that need replenishing. At the very least, make a list of the usual items with the prices next to them. If you don't know the exact price of it, like meat that is priced by weight, round it to the nearest dollar. Leave room in your budget if you're getting something new that you may not be sure of the cost, so you can stay in your budget. Add everything up before you get to the store. You don't want to be sweating at the register when you see your budget plan being diminished at the register.
  3. Use coupons when you can. Every city/town is diffrent as it relates to coupons. I don't have the luxury of collecting coupons and getting canceled out deals from double coupons because my city is in Middle America. They only put "toothpaste and shaving" coupons in the circulars. Unfortunately, I don't shave often and I have the best teeth on the block. If you do have success with couponing, it will be best to have a little file folder that has compartments to organize coupons by items and expiration dates. You definitely don't want to be excited about a coupon only to get greeted at the register and see that it has expired.
  4. Use a calculator. Carry your calculator, whether it's on your cell phone, or an individual one, a calculator helps!
  5. Buy name brands when they go on sale. Generic items aren't always the best. They may taste different, or not be as good of a deal or value.
  6. Price match. You can price match if need be, if your local stores allow. Being a busy mom who's running the "family business," I prefer going to Wamart because I can get everything at once, even if I have to walk through kingdom come to get deodorant. Walmart will also price match.

 What are your money saving tips at the grocery store? How do you stay within the family budget?

Picture courtesy of Flickr.

This article was written by Mango Chutney. You can find her at http://postpartumom.com or on Twitter @Postpartumom5.

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